Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-11-04
CURRENT AFFAIRS.
ED UCA T1ONAL MEETING


MUCH INTEREST MANIFESTED.
The educational meeting held at the town
hall, Wilmington, ON Thursday and Friday,
Oct. Goth and 2lst, proved to be one Of the
most interesting and successful gatherings
of the kind ever held nj this place. A large
number of teachers and persons interested
in the subject, froms this and adjoining
towns were present A very short time
before the commencement of the exercises,
Thursday morning, a despatch from State
Superintendent Dartt was received, stating
that ON account of sudden illness he could
not be present Of course this was an un-
expected disappointment, but no other
course but to proceed with the session re
NAMED The meeting was called to order
by c. NJ Russell, who presided during the
entire session. Devotional exercises were
conducted bv Revs. Phelps and Sargent.
The chairman made u brief opening address,
dwelling especially upon statistical facts in
relation to iliteracy in the country and in
Vermont, and urging that all voters should
at least possess primary education in or
der to properly exercise the duties and
privileges of an American citizen. After
IA musical selection, Rev. U. e. Sargent ad-
dressed the meeting in most forcible man
ner upon the important and practical sub
iect of "Promptness and Regularity Sug-
gestious and remarks upon mathematical
studies closed the morning session.
At2P. NJ. the meeting reassembled. After
music, r. a. Fitch read "A paper entitled,
"Knowledge, and How it Increases the Size
of Man, not physically, but intellectual
". The address of Mr. Fitch was character
istically terse and to the point, showing the
glorious achievements of mind and thought
over matter Many historical and biograph-
ical illustrations were cited. Miss Lula
Boyd. well known as a most pleasing reel.
tationist. gave a selection from Schuyler
Colfax's writings, entitled Education. u
Blackboard exercises explanatory of opera
tions in fractions Vermont interest rate,
and extractions of the cube root we're given
by Mr.. Sargent, showing him to be thor
oughly versed upon the different subjects.
The subject of Scientific Temperance was
then taken up under direction of the ladies
Of the W. c. T. L. Miss Mary Spencer
read the legislative enactments touching
upon the subject, and followed with an able
and instructive essay prepared by Miss
Barry of Bellows Falls. Interesting re
marks and suggestions were made by 9th
ers upon this important theme, closing tn,
exercises of the afternoon
The hall was completely filled in the even
ing. The exercises were introduced by mu
sic c. NJ. Russell gave short reading up
on the subject of elocution Dr. \. W
Rice then favored the audience with papel
entitled practical Duties of the Young
| The ESSAY was finely written and wa
earnest and thoughtful from beginning t,
| end, showing correct Judgment and clos,
observation c NJ. Russell followed will
an address. subject, The Power Of al
! Idea" After proper definition Of tn,
word itself, the speaker drew many illus
trations from history and practical life il
| lustrating the force and potency of man
intellectual powers. The LAYING of the At
! lantic cable the building of the Brooklyn
bridge, and the application of the power o
steam were described graphically, while nu
merous tributes were paid to those whC
have labored in the field of thought anC
achieved triumphs of mind which are mort
enduring and lasting than any physical oh
| iects The exercises of the evening wer'
enlivened by excellent music rendered b!
| Mr.. and Mrs j. H. Kidder Mrs. Mann an,
| Mrs Russell
Although Friday morning was rainy an,
very unpleasant, good number attended
| After devotional exercises, Rev. Mr.. SeXtol
read paper entitled The Teachers Voca
ton The subject was treated ably an'
| forcibly, giving many valuable suggestions
| The speaker referring to his own expert
ence, declared that he found the only eff
fective treatment for whispering was t
''fioc the whole school" Mrs. G. A Boy
read most valuable essay upon education
and the teachers work. Miss Annie NJ
johnson, "A thorough scholar now attending
school at West Brattleboro contributed al
essay, "A Taste for Reading" Miss Bell
Harris read in "A pleasing manner Wi
Cartoons "Schoolmaster's Guests Tn
subject Of geography and map drawing re
ceived proper attention, the discussion
bringing out remarks from Messrs Sargent
Phelps, Sexton, Parmalee, Buffum, Bond q
Searsburg, Stone of jacksonville, an
others.
The afternoon session was opened by Mrs
f. \. Fitch in the reading of an essay
Hints on Education and Suggestions t
Teachers on Methods of Teaching Tn
thoughts presented were most excellent
forming a plea for better preparation 70
the all important work of leading and d
recting youthful minds Rev d. w Phelp
then rendered beautiful tribute TO tn
memory of the eminent classical scholar
James Hadley. Miss Alice b Carpente
read an essay, "A Purpose in Life" /
matter and manner the production was eS
cellent. The Teachers Work" by Mis-
Alice Smith, superintendent of schools, wa
earnest and practical, showing that her eN
periences in the work of teaching had pre-
duced thoughts and suggestions truly valuf
BILE.
The session closed with a spirited debat
in regard to the use of diagrams as pre-
scribed in Reed and KellQgg's text book
Remarks were made by nearly all who's
names have been previously mentioned an
by Miss Winn of Nottingham, Mr.. Lesli
Boyd, f. NJ. Hayne j. II, Kidder, and Nj
Hill of Dover, either upon the subieC
proper or of general nature. The tow
system versus the district system was abl
defended by h. 4. Fitch. Upon motion {
Mr.. Sargent, a unanimous rising vote {
thanks was rendered Mr. Russell for til
active interest he had manifested in prepal
ing the program, and for contributing
such degree to the great interest and su,
cess of the occasion. Mr.. Russell responde
that he felt it pleasure TO do anything
the great work, and that he had only don
his duty.
Acknowledgements are due TO those VII
so generously entertained people from othC
towns, to those who contributed music,
numbers, and to Mrs. w. b. Haskell fC
floral decorations. 1t is proposed to hold
meeting similar in nature each year her,
after.